of jackson a difficult one to say the least. it added up to a chaotic christmas day for a good chunk of the country. >> oh my god look, that's a tornado. oh, wow. >> reporter: skies over mobile, alabama, turned ominous as the storms approached. residents ran for cover as it touched down. >> we stepped out and you could see it doing its thing and then it came behind the church. >> i prayed to god as loud as i cou could, i was praying for my safety and i knew the truck was shaking. i prayed that the truck stayed put and god would protect me and the ones in walgreens. >> reporter: tornado sirens blaired. >> it's right there. >> reporter: many grabbed cameras to catch what appeared to be a funnel cloud forming. >> we have to hurry and get past this. >> reporter: the winds knocked out electricity to more than 20,000 people across the state, damage was widespread, more than 30 reports of tornadoes from texas to alabama. the day got off to a rough start in oklahoma, more than 20 weeks were involved in an early morning accident that shut down interstate 40 joust outside oklahoma city. texas